Redistricting plan would put Pasco in 9th, 16th districts

Posted: 12:00am on Dec 31, 2011; Modified: 1:32am on Dec 31, 2011

Another possible redistricting plan for Eastern Washington was released Friday as Redistricting Commission member Tim Ceis weighed in on possible legislative boundaries.

Like the plan released by commission member Dean Foster earlier this week, Ceis would split Pasco between the 16th and 9th Legislative districts.

Foster, former chief of staff for Gov. Booth Gardner, and former state Rep. Tom Huff were asked to draw the state's new legislative map, but announced Wednesday they had reached an impasse in negotiating the boundaries for Eastern Washington's districts.

Ceis, former Seattle deputy mayor, and former U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton took responsibility for redrawing the state's congressional districts. That map was unveiled Wednesday, but commission members have yet to make final approval.

The commission has until midnight Sunday to deliver redrawn legislative and congressional maps to the Legislature, and needs consensus of three of the four voting members on each of the maps.

The commission is led by non-voting Chairwoman Lura Powell of Richland.

There are a few wrinkles in the legislative map, including Yakima and Spokane, but the one closest to home for Tri-Citians is whether Pasco will be represented by one legislative district or two.

Pasco city officials have asked the commission to keep the city intact when drawing district lines, but commission members so far are divided on how the Tri-Cities' legislative districts will be drawn.

Foster's plan also moves West Richland out of its traditional home in the 8th District into the 16th, which would wrap around the Tri-Cities and pick up much of rural Benton County.

The plans released by Huff and Ceis would leave West Richland in the 8th District.

All of the plans released by commission members would move Prosser out of the 8th District and into the 16th, which currently is represented by lawmakers from Walla Walla and Dayton.

The commission meets again at 10:30 a.m. today.

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